11 Colorado Counties Push to Secede from State

11 Colorado Counties Push to Secede from State

11 rural Colorado counties are pushing to secede and form a 51st state.

(KUSA) People in parts of rural Colorado are so fed up with state government they are threatening to secede. But, breaking away could cost the counties millions of dollars in lost state funding.

Eleven counties have put a "51st State" initiative on the November 5th ballot. Those counties are mostly on the eastern plains: Weld, Logan, Sedgwick, Phillips, Washington, Kit Carson, Yuma, Cheyenne, Lincoln and Elbert. Moffat County in northwestern Colorado is also putting the issue to a vote.

The secession movement began with "an outcry from citizens primarily after the gun control situation," according to Jeffrey Hare, who is leading the 51st State Initiative organization. Other secessionists take issue with laws and policies regarding civil unions, executions and renewable energy.